From the turn of the 20th century to the beginning of the Second World War, many American women were drawn to Paris – the centre of artistic modernity – in the pursuit of personal and creative freedom. Exercising their newfound independence, these voluntary ‘exiles’ made significant contributions to Parisian culture during this time, in art, music, literature, theatre and fashion. The National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. focuses on some 65 of these adventurous women, with notable names including Gertrude Stein, Josephine Baker and Peggy Guggenheim (26 April–23 February 2025). Through a mixture of biography and portraiture, it shows how they helped open up a world of opportunities for women, pushing past the boundaries that restrained them at home. Find out more from the National Portrait Gallery’s website.
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